Homecoming for grand marshal

Gonzalez sums up expectations for Flambeau: 'It can't get better'

Updated 10:41 am, Thursday, April 25, 2013

A member of King Anchovy's court takes part in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade in 2011. This year's parade features 150 participants.

A member of King Anchovy's court takes part in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade in 2011. This year's parade features 150 participants.

Photo: Express-News File Photo

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King Anchovy and former Rep. Charlie Gonzalez is back at Fiesta after 14 years in D.C.

King Anchovy and former Rep. Charlie Gonzalez is back at Fiesta after 14 years in D.C.

Photo: Helen L. Montoya / San Antonio Express-News

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Charlie Gonzalez -- former congressman and current VIA bigwig -- is King Anchovy for Cornyation this year. Elain Wolff of PlazaDeArmas helps Gonzalez with a crown that he will wear to various events before Cornyation.

Charlie Gonzalez -- former congressman and current VIA bigwig -- is King Anchovy for Cornyation this year. Elain Wolff of PlazaDeArmas helps Gonzalez with a crown that he will wear to various events before

Charlie Gonzalez -- former congressman and current VIA bigwig -- is King Anchovy for Cornyation this year. Elain Wolff of PlazaDeArmas helps Gonzalez with a crown that he will wear to various events before Cornyation.

Charlie Gonzalez -- former congressman and current VIA bigwig -- is King Anchovy for Cornyation this year. Elain Wolff of PlazaDeArmas helps Gonzalez with a crown that he will wear to various events before

This year, however, the retired U.S. representative is more than making up for his extended absence — Gonzalez is grand marshal of the Fiesta Flambeau Parade and King Anchovy XLVIII for Cornyation.

“When you're a member of Congress, the chances that Congress is not in session during Fiesta week are very slim,” Gonzalez said. “This is a banner Fiesta year for me. It'll never get better than this. It can't get better.”

“They are all movers and shakers in San Antonio from over the years,” said Nick Carrisal, president of the Fiesta Flambeau Association. “In some form or fashion, these people have made San Antonio the vibrant city that we have today.”

“Celebrating San Antonio” is this year's Fiesta Flambeau parade theme, which was chosen by the association because it had never specifically honored the city.

“We have several people here in the city that should be recognized and honored,” Carrisal said. “Bill Sinkin is nearly 100 years old and he's so excited. He's like a 12-year-old.”

As always, the University of Texas Longhorn Band will kick off the parade, which is scaled down to 150 participants. Carrisal said that at last year's event, which had 188 participants, people were waiting as late as 1 a.m. for the parade to get to the endpoint at Santa Rosa and Martin streets.

“I couldn't be more proud and excited to be part of this parade,” he said. “We're looking forward to a great night. And I already ordered good weather, so there's no problem there.”

For Gonzalez, whose family has a tradition of attending the night parade, serving as grand marshal is doubly special.

“Just to be in the parade is something else,” he said. “The added significance is that when my father (the legendary Henry B. Gonzalez) retired from Congress, he was the grand marshal.

“I was never musically gifted; I was never in a band or anything that was able to march in a parade, which probably would have been the opportunity for me,” Gonzalez said. “At my age, to have this entirely new experience is kind of nice.